1. Long intro by @nsitharaman on the achievements of the last several years before she gets to the main points of the 20 lakh crore booster shot to the economy. Will try and summarise main points sitting as I am in the studio listening to this.
2. Press conferences will be spread over several days.
3. 15 different measures being announced , 6 of which pertain to the MSMEs, 2 relte to EPFO, others to MFIs, DISCOMS, contractors, real estate and 3 are tax measures.
4. Collateral free loan for MSMEs available till Oct end, this year. 45 lakh units to benefit.
5. 12 crores are employed in the MSME sector. Collateral free automatic loan of 3 crores will be offered.
6. 20,000 crores liquidity to be infused into stressed MSMEs. These have a problem of equity. NPAs or stressed MSMEs are eligible.
7. A fund of funds is being created - 50,000 crores to be infused into MSMEs. To benefit viable MSMEs and have potential.
8. This will help MSMEs to expand their capacity and eventually be listed in the markets.
9. Definition of MSMEs - Definition being changed in favour of MSMEs. MSMEs need not worry about growing in size and losing benefits of the status. Investment limit is being revised upwards.
10. Additional criterion to define MSMEs includes turnover. Differentiation between services and manufacturing MSMEs is being removed.
11. For govt procurement, tenders upto 200 cr will no longer will no longer be on global tender route.
12. Many MSMEs were not being able to participate in supplies to large government units because of the global tender issue.
13. E-market linkage for MSMEs so that they can find their markets easily since trade-fairs will not be possible because of COVID.
14. Employers Provident Fund (EPF): Liquidity relief currently being given for all EPF establishments. Govt support to be extended by another 3 months ... 2500 crores for 72.22 lakh employees will benefit. EPF contribution to be paid by the GOI for June, July and Sept.
15. To ensure higher take home salary - for those not covered in the earlier scheme - Statutory PF contribution is being reduced from 12 to 10 per cent for 3 months.
16. 6750 crore liquidity benefit will be available for the next 3 months as per this scheme in EPF.
17. Non banking financial companies, Micro finance institutions - GOI launches a 30,000 cr spl liquidity scheme.
18. 45,000 cr scheme - GOI will be guarantor ... AA rated papers and even unrated papers will be eligible for investment - liquidity
19. DISCOMS - Facing unprecedented cash flown problem. Unable to pay power generating companies. Crisis in all states. Emergency liquidity injection of Rs.90,000 crores. Thats HUGE.
20. This is a one time provision - the guarantee for the amount will be borne by states. Rebates will be given to those who ultimately benefit the customers.
21. Contractors - 6 months extension without any cost to contractors to cover construction works. They can take an addl 6 months to comply with the contract conditions.
22. The extension is upto 6 months and will cover construction work ... It will also cover completion of works.
23. Govt agencies will partially release bank guarantees to the partially completed contracts.
24. This benefits Railways, Highways, Central public works etc.
25. Real Estate: Urban Dev ministry shall issue advisories to states and UTs so that the regulatory authorities can treat the COVID situation as an act of God and to that extent be flexible about the execution of a contract signed.
26. Tax related proposals - From tomorrow till March 2021 - TDS rates reduced by 25 per cent. This shall apply to all payments, rents, brokerage, or divident. This will be coming into force till tomorrow till March 31, 2021. 50,000 crores in the hands of the people.
27. Dates being extended - All pending refunds to non charitable trusts etc shall issued immediately. Due date of all ITRs is now being extended to 30th November 2020.
28. Date of assessment of taxes is being extended 31 December 2020 to prevent date of assessment being barred.
29. As I understand it, the TDS reduction of 25 per cent is for non-salaried specified payments made to residents and rates of Tax Collection at Source.
